England quintet return to Liverpool first-team training in first US tour session

21-07-2016

All of the five Liverpool players who featured for England at Euro 2016 - Daniel Sturridge, Jordan Henderson, Adam Lallana, James Milner and Nathaniel Clyne - returned to first-team training as Liverpool went through a light session in the California sunshine at Stanford University on Thursday.

Based in California's Silicon Valley for the next week, Jürgen Klopp oversaw a session at Stanford University later the same day as he welcomed back Daniel Sturridge, Jordan Henderson, Adam Lallana, James Milner and Nathaniel Clyne - who were all already in the US.

Woodburn sparked a frenzy on social media netting goals in back-to-back games and combining his output with effective displays, while Kent added an explosive spark out wide and was one of the stand-outs in their four fixtures.

Also left behind in Liverpool are outcast striker Mario Balotelli, who has been told his time is up at the club, Tiago Ilori who is training for the Olympic Games with Portugal Under-23s, and injured Academy midfielder Pedro Chirivella.

Elsewhere, Lucas Leiva, Mamadou Sakho and Joe Gomez were all included in the squad that flew to the States despite injury problems.

Lazar Markovic and Andre Wisdom, both of whom appear unlikely to demand a place in Klopp's squad for the 2016-17 season, are with the Reds in Pato Alto as they look to prove otherwise.

Number of Reds' tour status unknown with futures uncertain

Competition for places is sure to heat up over the next few weeks, Belgian duo Simon Mignolet and Divock Origi due back before Liverpool's clash with Chelsea in Pasadena next Wednesday.

Christian Benteke is also expected back at the same time as his compatriots, although it is not yet known whether he will travel to the United States.

Crystal Palace are currently unwilling to meet Liverpool's asking price for the out-of-favour striker having offered £31.5 million for the frontman earlier this month, only £27.5 million of which was up-front.

The Reds are looking to bank at least a guaranteed fee of £30 million and Palace have yet to come up with an improved offer, leaving the potential transfer at a standstill.

With his future also in doubt, Joe Allen is likely to have left the club by the time he would be expected to return from a summer break.

Klopp led a strong squad for training, including their returning England quartet. (Picture: Getty Images)

Subject of a £13 million offer fromStoke City, which has been accepted, the Welsh midfielder will now enter discussions with the Potters over a move away from Anfield.

But the Liverpool squad will be soon boosted by the arrival of Georginio Wijnaldum, who is due to undergo a medical at the club's Melwood training ground ahead of a £25 million switch fromNewcastle United.

Expected to put pen-to-paper on a five-year deal with the Reds, Wijnaldum will travel to the US the same day with the potential of making his first appearance against Chelsea at the 92,500-seater Rose Bowl.

Trialist goalkeeper Alex Manninger, who has been training with the club over the last few weeks with a view to signing a one-year contract as third-choice back-up, is also with the squad.